Leafs Improve Defence & Truculence

The Maple Leafs went into the first day of the entry draft looking to upgrade their defensive posture and their truculence.

So far, so good.

The Leafs moved around and landed forward Tyler Biggs at 22 and Stuart Percy at 25.
Biggs is six-foot-two, 210 pounds. A right winger with pretty good skating skills, he is definitely truculent. He scored 17 goals in 48 games with the US-under 18 team. He is the son of former pro Don Biggs and while no one doubts his aggressiveness, his skills continue to emerge.

Biggs is a bruising forward and a dual citizen who will go to Miami of Ohio this season and he treasures his connection to the Canadian game.

For Percy, being selected 25th by the Leafs was, well, a dream come true.

“The posters is my bedroom are Mats Sundin, Doug Gilmour and Tie Domi,” said the Oakville native. “Being selected to play for the Leafs is a surreal experience.”

Meanwhile, the acquisition of John-Michael Liles from Colorado should deliver the power play quarterback the Leafs have been seeking. Liles had six goals and 40 assists last season. He is in the final year of his contract.

The Leafs also added veteran hockey official Rick Dudley to the club’s front office.